Line-casting machine.



J. R. ROGERS.

LINE CASTING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED APR. 5, 1911.

Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W/NVENTOR.

ATIOR by.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPII co.. WASHINGTON. u.

J. R. ROGERS.

LINE CASTING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED APR. 5, 1911.

1 Ill 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

5558- 1- [NV TOR.

Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

ATTOR EY.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO c1 TTNTTED STATFS PATENT OFFTCE.

JOHN R. ROGERS, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO MERGENTHALER LIND- TYPE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

LINE-CASTING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 5, 1911.

Patented Sept. 2, 1 913.

Serial No. 619,136.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN R. Rocnns, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful. Improvement in Line-Casting Machines, oi? which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to line-casting machines of the general class represented in Letters Patent of the United States, No. 436,532. In these machines circulating matrices, stored in a magazine, are released by finger-keys in the required order, assembled in line, and the line then transferred to the face of a slotted mold, which is filled with molten metal to produce a slug or linotype on which type characters are "formed by the matrices; the matrices being thereafter returned through a distributing mechanism to the magazine channels from which they were originally released.

Myinvention is particularly adapted for employment in that class of linotype or line-casting machine which is adapted to carry more than one font of matrices, so that type faces varying in size or style may be produced at will. and so that each line may be composed of matrices from one or a plurality of magazines, and the subsequent distribution of the matrix lines may be carried on continuously without refer ence to the character of the matrices therein.

My invention relates more particularly to the sorting and distribution of matrices in such a plural magazine machine, but so constructed and arranged that the composed line of matrices is presented to the sorting devices which separate the matrices from the line in opposite directions and then convey them to their respective distributors. However, I do not confine myself strictly to the form of mechanism described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, as obviously many changes and variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention; and generally speaking, I do not limit myself to any specific form or embodiment except in so far as such limitations are specified in the claims.

With the exception of the devices forming the subject of the present improvement, the machine may be in all respects of the same construction as the commercial Mergenthaler machine of the present day, or r of any other :uppropriate term; and the accompanying drawings are therefore limited to such parts as are necessary to an understanding of the invention.

Figure l a partial side elevation, and partly broken away, oi. the distributing mechanism having my invention applied thereto; Fig. 2 is an end view of the same; Fig. 3 is a detached view of the matrix slide; Fig. 4. is a sectional plan view taken substantially on the line 4- 1: in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a perspective end view, partly broken away, of the parts shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. (3 illustrates the different forms of matrices which are handled by the respective distributors.

The group oi. mixed matrices are received between the distributers in the distributor box A, from which they may be transferred either to the grooved bar 13 of the upper distributing mechanism, or to the grooved bar B of the lower distributing meeha' nism, along which they are conveyed by the respective screws 0, C, or C C, all in the customary manner, until they are released and pass into the respective magazines D or D indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2. The mixed matrices in the box A are held in proper relation to the separating device by the shifter E, which is yieldingly urged forward as usual, and so that the matrices are consecutively presented in proper position to be operated upon. the extreme matrix being supported by displaceable spring clips 0, O, as indicated in Fig. 5.

The matrix sorting and conveying slide comprises a part or matrix slide G (see particularly Fig. 3) connected to the angle piece F. This device is mounted to be vertically reciprocated in proximity to the innor end of the box A and is guided by the slot A therein. The reciprocating means comprise the arm H. pivoted at H and connected to the s ide by a slotted connection at the point F Motion is imparted to the arm Tl by a link H and the eccentric ll formed upon the end o'l one of the screws C in the customary manner. The matrix slide may also be provided with anti-friction rolls F, F, to bear upon the side of the box A.

In Fig. 6 are illustrated the matrices m and y, which are respectively adapted to be handled by the upper or lower distributing mechanisms. The matrices x are formed with cuts or notches 00 in their lower edge, and the matrices g/ with cuts or notches y y in their upper edge. Similarly, the lifting piece G is formed with upwardly projecting lugs M, M, which cor respond in size and position to the notches m m of the matrices as, and at its lower edge with projecting lugs N, N, which correspond in size and position to the notches 3 f, of the matrices y. Through the connections previously described the part G is reoiprocated to such an extent that in its upper position it entirely clears the advancing line of matrices, with the ex ception of its depending lugs N, N, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2, and inits lower position it similarly clears the matrices with the exception of itsupwardly projecting lugs M, M, as shown by full lines in Fig. 2, The operation of the parts will now be apparent. In the event that a matrix m is presented in operative position during the downward stroke of the matrix slide, at the end of the stroke and after the main portion of the piece G has cleared the matrix, the lugs M, M, will register with the notches 00 m thus permitting the forward ad-- vance of the matrix over the piece G by the yielding transferslide E. The matrix 00 is now in position to be vertically detached and raised by the piece G, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, until it is engaged by the screws C, C, and transferred to and carried along the distributer bar B in the usual manner. If at the uppermost dwell of the piece G a matrix y is in operative position, the regis: .tration of the lugs N, N, with the notches 1/ y, permits the matrix to be introduced beneath the piece G and the downward stroke thereof carries the matrix before it until it rests upon the bracket P (see Fig. 1) where it is engaged by the screws C C and transferred to and carried along the distributer bar B It will also be apparent that if amatrix 00 be presented when the piece G is in its upper position, or if a matrix 3 be presented when the piece G is in its lower position, there will be no registration between the respective lugs and notches to permit the advance of the matrix line in the manner previously described, and in these circumstances the piece G will simply pass across the face of the matrix without effecting its separation from the line, and until it arrives at one of its extreme positions where its lugs will register with the notches of the matrix, thus again allowing the advance of the line and the separation of the matrix in the manner previously described.

Having thus described my invention, its

construction and mode of operation, what I- 7 claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. In a linotype machine, the combination of a plurality of matrix distributing mechanisms, and movable means for separating matrices from a presented group thereof, the said means comprising a single separating member to act upon the matrices individually and urge them in opposite directions toward the appropriate distributing mechanisms.

2. In a linotype machine, the combination of a plurality of matrix distributing mechanisms, means for presenting a group of matrices between them, and movable means for separating the matrices from such group, the said means comprising a single separating member to act upon the matrices individually and urge them in opposite directions toward the appropriate distributing mechanisms.

In a linotype machine, the combination of two matrix distributing mechanismsarranged one above the other, means for pre: senting a group of matrices between them, and means for separating matrices from such group, the said means conipris'ing a vertically reciprocating member to act upon the matrices individually and urge them in different vertical directions toward the re spective distributing mechanisms.

4. In a linotype machine, the combination of a plurality of matrix distributingmechanisms, means for advancing a group of matrices endwise toward the distributing mechanisms, and separating means movable back and forth across the path of movement of the matrices and adapted to engage and sep arate the matrices in both its backward and forward movements,

5. In a linotype machine, the combination of a plurality of matrix distributing mechanisms, means movabl from one to another of said distributing mechanisms, and vice versa and a group of matrices adapted to be presented in position to be engaged by such movable means when moving in either direction.

6. In a linotype machine, the combination of distributing mechanism, a group of matrices, and separating means therefor movable in difierent directions and adapted to engage and detach said matrices one at a nisms, and a movable member for se )arating matrices individually in opposite directions from a group thereof presented between the said mechanisms and for conveying them to the appropriate distributing mechanisms.

9. In a linotype machine, the combination of distributing mechanism, and a movable member for separating matrices from a group thereof one at a time, those of one set in one direction and those of another set in a different direction for delivery to the distributing mechanism.

10. In a linotype machine, the combination of distributing mechanism, a group of matrices, and movable means for separating matrices individually in opposite directions from such group for delivery to the distributing mechanism.

11. In a linotype machine, the combination of a plurality of matrix distributing mechanisms, and movable means for separating matrices individually in opposite directions from a presented group thereof and then convey them directly to the appropriate distributing mechanisms.

12. In a linotype machine, the combination of a plurality of matrix distributing meclmnisms, a presented group oi matrices from different fonts, and reciprocating means which engage and detach matrices of one font when moving in one direction, and matrices o'l, another 't'ont when moving in the opposite direction. and then convey them to the appropriate distrilmters,

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand this fourth day of April, 1911., in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

JOHN It. ROGERS.

\Vitnesses E. J. Linn, Nonnnm DODGE,

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). C. 

